Season Greetings from Salida Colorado.    This is a time of year when I am most aware of how special my town is and how much I appreciate my friends and  family.   Starting this year and from here forward I will make a Season Greeting from Salida Colorado video to share. If your business wants to be part of next year's video, give me a shout!    Season Greetings from Salida Colorado!     12/26/2012

Winter Holiday events in Salida Colorado 2012   In the last few days, Salida Colorado, similar to most places in the country, are in hurry up and shop mode. We are looking forward to  the quiet pace of the week between Christmas and the New Year.     If you like to ski, Monarch Mountain has an amazing amount of snow for this time of year.. 73 inches of natural snow (they don't make artificial snow). The conditions are powder and packed powder. I love skiing on packed powder. Turning and stopping are much easier for me in packed powder.    On the 24th at 10 am, Santa will be at the slopes for all of you who want to say hello. He will be either skiing or snowboarding and loves company!    Albritton Skis opens downtown..our only custom custom ski shop. If you can't make your mind up in a ... 12/23/2012

  Kayaking is a popular YEAR ROUND sport in Salida Colorado One of the perks of living in Salida Colorado is the whitewater. We are nestled along the headwaters of the Arkansas River, a spot know for incredible fly fishing and whitewater sports.   I have spent many late afternoons at the Boathouse Cantina looking out the window at the whitewater kayaks. On any given day, I might see a stand up paddle board, playboat, squirt board, rodeo boat, or a creeker. I have labeled them on the photos below and I still cannot tell them apart. If you want more info, want to rent or buy, stop by Riverboat Works in town.     Our big whitewater kayaking season is May through September because of snow runoff and the amount of water they release from Twin Lakes that feeds into the river. Now that winter ... 12/16/2012

Salida Colorado, Heart of the Rocky Mountains: Undiscovered Gem   If you are not familiar with Salida Colorado, you are not alone. In 2008, Diversion Magazine called Salida "one of the 10 best places you've never heard of". Most folks who have found us did so through word of mouth. Then.. they come back. Many end up buying a 2nd home or just moving here lock stock and barrel, like we did.   Why is this little town of 5500 so special? Location Salida is considered the Crossroads of the Rockies or the Heart of the Rockies by many. It is southwest of Denver 2 1/2 hours or due east of Colorado Springs about 2 hours. We are on the "Back Range" if you call the corridor from Denver down through Pueblo the "Front Range". The front range folks come here to relax and play.   We are now considered... 12/14/2012

Start your Winter Holiday in Salida Colorado. Monarch Mountain is Open! Salida Colorado has the 2nd best ski areas for powder in the state.   Why Monarch Mountain rather than some other Colorado Ski Resorts? Several Reasons. Monarch Mountain is 20 minutes from town. From downtown Salida to the lift takes 20 minutes. Ski 1/2 day, eat lunch and get on your bicycle for an afternoon ride. Since we are in the "Banana Belt" of Colorado, you can ride your bicycle or your horse year round.We are not a ski town, nestled at the base of the lift lines so you have the flavor of a charming town for home base and with prices to match.   The prices are fabulous. Lift tickets range from $24 to $60 and the season pass ranges from $219 to $500, depending on your age and when you buy it.  Monarch's Season... 12/13/2012

Winter Holiday Events, Salida Colorado's Arkansas Valley.   What is happening over the winter holiday this week? We are NOT going to be left out of the holiday 5 miles runs but we do it with a twist. Join us for the Tennessee Pass Kick-Off Classic 5 mile showshowe race.  When? 12/8/2012 Where? Leadville CO Cost? Free Leadville has their parade of lights the night of the 8th.   Buena Vista Colorado has their annual Holiday Home Tour this weekend. They choose 5 homes that have been especially decked out for the holiday and follow it with a reception.... food and entertainment. When? 12/9/2012. 1:30 to 4:30 Where? Trail West Lodge Cost? $10 Arkansas Valley's Alpine Orchestra, a 40 piece symphony, is playing this weekend. Love Holiday Music? Come on down. There is no charge. When? Saturday... 12/07/2012

The Charm of Colorado Rockies River Towns: Salida Area   This is a get to know us post for our Arkansas Valley river towns. The Salida Colorado Area has a total population of about 16,000 people if you count all of Chaffee county where Salida is and the area in Fremont County to the south east that encompasses Howard, Coaldale, Cotopaxi and Texas Creek. All are river towns, nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River which flows from the headwaters just above Buena Vista down through Pueblo Colorado and on to the Mississipi.   We are nestled in the Arkansas Valley with mountains all around. Known as the Banana Belt of Colorado, we have milder winters than most and less snowfall. The surrounding mountains, however get their share!   Travel to our area is relatively painless. There are maj... 12/05/2012

Reducing Seller Stress: How Can We Help?   I confess. In the past has been hard for me to call my sellers when their home has hit the 10th month of being on the market and they are not getting showings. Unfortunately, when I don't communicate, that creates more stress. I think their biggest stressor is what they don't know. They don't know what we are doing, they don't know how long it will take to sell, they don't know what it will sell for, etc. Although we cannot help with most of these, we can let them know what we are doing and what the market is doing.   Here is what I do now. 1. I set my sellers up to receive market listings similar to theirs. That way, they know what is selling, what is new and what the prices are. It makes any price adjustment conversation mean more to them bec... 12/05/2012

Salida Colorado's Surf and Turf Restaurant: Currents Steak and Seafood Currents is a restaurant that prides themselves on being a "surf and turf" place to eat. And, the food is excellent!  The staff is great and the atmosphere is upbeat.   Currents has an impressive menu. Click on the link to view it. I have had their crab cakes, their burger, and their blackened red snapper. Often, I just get the burger, green chile or the special. They usually have 2 specials and 1 is usually a type of fish. They are flexible so if you want something a bit different (grilled rather than fried or vegies rather than fries), they will work with you. The owners, Brad Smith and Chris Tracy try to use as much local and Colorado ingredients as they can. They offer beer from Elevation Beer Company and Amica's... 12/02/2012

Step right up!Get your Dirt Cheap Parcel of Land in or around Salida Colorado   Over the past two months we have been noticing that folks are starting to search for land again on our website. Let's first look at some numbers and then see what folks are looking at.   Looking at the graph below, land sales are really down still. For homes, we have about 16.5 months of inventory but for land we have 125 months (It would take 125 months for every piece of land currently on the market to sell based on how many are currently selling per month).   What has this done to land prices over the past 4 years? As can be seen below, listing prices have been steady but sold prices dropped until 2012. And most the that increase has been over the past few months. What does this mean for buyers? Three thi... 11/30/2012

Salida Colorado's Amicas Pizza and Microbrewery  10 years of Great Food and Beer Amica's Pizza and Microbrewery, 2012 Salida Colorado Business of the year, is in their 10th year of providing excellent pizza and amazing beer to Salida Colorado Residents and visitors.  Food: We have 3 local microbreweries in town now, 2 serve food. Amica's food is excellent. They use a brick, wood fired pizza oven to bake with so their pizzas turn out perfect every time. I have had several of their pizzas, calzones and paninis. My personal favorite is the Biela. Click the link to view the Amica's Menu.    If you want an event catered, they can do that... big plates of lasagna and more. Check out their catering menu.    The head brewer is Mike LaCroix. He started his career at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Scho... 11/28/2012

When the Salida Colorado Tenderfoot Mountain (AKA S Mountain) becomes Christmas Mountain   Tenderfoot Mountain, next to the heart of downtown Salida is home to hikers, dog walkers, runners and mountain bikers all year round. At night, the mountain is lit up with a heart (our nickname is "Heart of the Rockies" and an S for Salida (hence the nickname S mountain).   However, the weekend of Thanksgiving, however, it becomes Christmas Mountain. Tenderfoot Mountain transforms into the largest Christmas tree in the world. This tradition has existed since 1989.       For years, weeks before the lighting, volunteers string 4500 lights in a mile long string in the shape of a decorated tree. It is lit the day after Thanksgiving and stays lit for 6 weeks.     Thanks to private donations, wiring has... 11/26/2012

Salida Colorado Restaurant on the River: Twisted Cork Cafe   One of my favorite restaurants in the summer is Twisted Cork Cafe. They have several tables on the back patio by the South Fork of the Arkansas River. The setting is quiet, gorgeous and the river noise gurgles away in the background.    Twisted Cork's menu is varied, from burgers to asian to vegetarian to Italian. They have "Big Plates and Small Plates" for those who eat more or less.  My three favorite items on the menu are the shrimp pesto pasta, the veggie lasagna and the bowl and a roll.   Lots of folks head out to Twisted Cork for happy hour.  They host happy hour from 3-5 daily..2 for one microbrews or 2 glasses mountain spirit wine for $8. Nobody else in town has one this early.     Twisted Cork also caters.. ask for An... 11/21/2012

Yes You Can Buy a House in Salida Colorado and Work Repairs into the Loan! Think 203K   In the past, buyers were out of luck if they wanted to purchase a house that needs repairs. They would require the work to be done up front before they would lend money on the home. That is where the FHA 203k comes in.   The 203k loan sets up one mortgage for both acquisition and renovation. They estimate the value of the home as-is and then again, with the projects completed. If it will appraise for the "projects completed" phase,  and the projects are not luxury related but structural, safety, energy and/or livability related, then you have a good chance of getting this type of loan   There are Hud Approved lenders and these lenders have a list of Consultants who can help you with the repair part, ... 11/20/2012

Salida Colorado Has Vietnamese food! Little Cambodia: Authentic Asian Cuisine. This little restaurant has a little menu but don't be lulled into thinking it is not worth the trip. Although the menu only shows about 6 items, all are outstanding. And, on most days the readerboard out front or their Facebook page will let you know what specials are available.  If you want to eat in, you can. They have about 4 tables so seating may be an issue. They are also great if you want take out. Click on the link to view the Little Cambodia Menu. Do you want beer or wine with your meal? No problem. There is a door between the restaurant and the Victorian.. a tavern next door. Folks at the Vic will let you move your food into their area if you would like beer or wine as well. This is especially fun wh... 11/18/2012

Salida Colorado Restaurant Series: Benson's Tavern and Beer Garden   Benson's is my "hangout" of choice. The owner, Brett Ziehmke, makes it welcoming. The bartenders and wait staff are friendly and good at what they do. Their beers on tap are excellent. Their meals are excellent. Grant, Brett's business partner and head Chef makes sure that the food is a cut above what you can get most places.     They often have live music on the back patio, especially in the summer.  Some of my favorite items on the menu include the burger (yep... I do not know what they do to it but it is superb), the daily pasta special and their quesadilla. Actually nothing I have had at Bensons has been even average much less below average. Their menu changes often but here is a sample (Benson's Menu).     Benson'... 11/17/2012

Salida Colorado Restaurant Series: 216 Ferraro's Italian Restaurant. Due to the 100's of Italians who migrated here during the railroad era and stayed 3 generations ago, we have an old country influence on many local establishments. 216 Ferroro's is a perfect example. Art Ferraro is a 3rd generation Italian who has recently come back to town to open 216 Ferraro's.     Ferraro's is a lovely Italian restaurant with fresh, housemade pastas and daily specials. For fine dining and fabulous Italian food, they would be the choice in town. They have a full bar for those of you who like cocktails before your meal. You may want to call for a reservation.. they are almost always busy.   Some of my favorite items on the  menu follow. If you would like to see the entire menu, click 216 Ferraro's Men... 11/16/2012

  Salida Colorado Restaurant Series: Country Bounty Restaurant and Gift Shoppe. Country Bounty is the restaurant in town that has something for everyone.It is a combination of a great diner, a fine restaurant, a fabulous place to have meetings with food or just desert! The restaurant is huge and has a gift shop with local artist's work on the east side. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The menu is extensive. I have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner there and all are great. Country bounty makes every effort to use local products for their food preparation. They use Scanaga Deli Meat (our local deli/butcher), Mountain Phoenix Coffee (ground here), and beer from both Amica's Pizza and Brewpub and Elevation Beer Company.  For breakfast, my two favorites are bisquits and gravy and the build your... 11/15/2012

Salida Colorado Horse Scene: Southern Colorado Cutting Championships2012 Results   The results are in and Victory Hill Training Center in Salida Colorado placed well in the 2012 Southern Colorado Cutting Competitions that were held throughout the spring, summer and fall.    Victory Hill, Owned by Sandy and Mel Rose dominated the cutting scene this year. Their horse Playgirl Smart Color (Barn name Bambi) was all around high point champion.    Mel won a championship on Bambi and Sandy won a reserve championship this season.   Travis Hickman, one of their trainers won 1 Championship and 1 Reserve championship on his horse Chrome and a Championship on a horse he was training, Pepi.   Sharon Peck won a reserve championship with her horse Pepi (the horse Travis has been training).    Andrea W... 11/14/2012

Salida Colorado Events: The Grainery Delivers Thanksgiving The Grainery is a local organization that acts as a food minestry to local residents. They provide food all year long and "kick it up a notch" when Thanksgiving and Christmas rolls around. Two local real estate companies, Keller Williams (where I work) and First Colorado Land office are spearheading donations for Thanksgiving. You can still donate, either call me (719.221.6108) or mail a check to The Grainery Ministries, P.O. Box 303, Salida, CO 81201. Mark in the memo line on the check that it is for Thanksgiving boxes or if you prefer, save it for Christmas boxes.             The grainery staff and volunteers will deliver the boxes Nov. 14, 16 and 19. They deliver to folks who come in and apply and to folks who are seniors an... 11/13/2012